What is Pilates?Pilates is a form of exercises developed to stretch, strengthen, tone and align the body, while helping to relieve excess pressure and stress on the joints. Pilates educates you on how to use your body in a more efficient way. It isolates muscle groups to help you gain strength and control in your body. There are exercises that can be done on the Mat and various machines with strange names like the Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda Chair, but don't let that intimidate you. They are all used to help assist the clients in controlling movements and to get deeper into the body.

Who started Pilates?Pilates ("puh-LAH-tees"), was started by a gentleman, Joseph Pilates who was born in Germany in the year 1880. He suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever as a child. In determination to fight these ailments Pilates studied anatomy as well as Eastern and Western forms of exercise including Yoga, wrestling and acrobatics.

Pilates moved to New York City between the two World Wars, where his unique approach to fitness was quickly recognized by dancers. Today people from all walks of life are discovering the benefits of Pilates.

What are the benefits of Pilates?There are so many wonderful benefits of Pilates and they vary depending on each individual. The common benefits are: improved posture, balance, strength (particularly in the abdominals), increased flexibility, back pain relief and increased energy levels. Pilates possess better body awareness, which carries through your daily life, including any sports you may play.

With an emphasis on mental focus and awareness, the mind is re-energized as well as the body. There is also increased body awareness which not only helps in daily life, but also really helps athletes gain a competitive edge in sports.

A big attraction to Pilates is the ability to move through various exercises instead of doing scores of mindless, repetitive exercises and still with the ability to achieve amazing results.

Can anyone do it?Pilates unique approach to fitness allows any level from a beginner to an athlete to set their goals and work at their individual needs. We work with people who have never done any structured exercise before all the way to athletes. There is a place for you and we help you find your way.

Can I continue or start Pilates Pre/Post Pregnancy?Absolutely and this is a very important time to build strength and awareness in your ever-changing body. Not only will you be going through changes in your body the next 9 (really almost 10) months but you need to prepare for both labor and having a new born. We work on everything from understanding the deep abdominal muscles and pelvic floor to upper body strengthening to prepare you for carrying around a new born.

Will it help me lose weight?You can expect a longer, leaner line to the musculature and an increase in tone. If your goal is weight loss, Pilates is a wonderful mind and body exercise to incorporate into your weight loss program. However, you will need to take into consideration diet and additional forms of exercise to find an overall effective program.

Why is it so expensive?This question comes up a lot or people saying they can't afford it. While that is very reasonable, please remember if you are taking privates, you have an instructor solely working with you for the entire session. Each instructor has been trained and certified in Pilates as well as other disciplines and continues to take educational training on anatomy, new advances in Pilates and additional forms of exercise to keep everyone working with the most up to date information. We take educating you and safety on the equipment very seriously so you will get the most out of each session.

Why should I take Pilates with Art of Pilates versus other studios?With all the Pilates studios around town it's important to figure out why you would want to go to one studio over another. Art of Pilates, Inc. started for all of you. It was a way for us to give something to people where they could have a peaceful and quiet place to come, where the instructors are all educated and care about each client, and where the focus is on you, not us. Basically this is the place to come to find the finest instructors and a place where we constantly update and modify our programs to meet what the clients are asking for. We have expanded our services since we noticed a strong interest in more then private sessions and now offer a variety of classes. If you are looking for traditional Pilates exercises that fit the mass audience with no individuality in how the exercises can be modified for each specific audience then this may not be the best fit for you. If you want a blend of what we have learned from various comprehensive Pilates training programs, along with our growing services then come try it out and see if it fits your needs. If you want variety, a safe environment to work in, a challenge within your abilities, then this is the place for you.

How many times a week should I do it?It depends on what kind of results you are looking for with Pilates. Once a week will provide you with a foundation of Pilates and will leave you feeling invigorated. Ideally 2-3 times a week to see the results of: increased flexiblility, toned muscles, significant improvements in some back problems and a general improved vitality in the body.

What clients say about PilatesFrequent comments:
"I can actually feel my abdominals are getting stronger"
"I feel stronger"
"I feel taller"
"I had so much energy when I left"

Testimonials about Pilates

I started my Pilates training a year ago because I had back pain. My back is now stronger and I rarely have any pain now. The added bonus is my whole body is stronger!

Diane S., Choir Director South Bay Children's Choir

Pilates has helped me with my lower back pain to the point where it's completely disappeared on most days. I've been working out for over 20 years but Pilates has taught me how to be more mindful in my workouts, really focusing on the muscles I'm working, and within a few weeks of starting Pilates I already felt stronger. My posture is better and my balance is really improved. I really enjoy my Pilates workouts and the Art of Pilates studio is a nice respite in my hectic world.

Diana M., Attorney-Mediator

Pilates has helped me tone my body and increase strength and flexibility. Which was essential in my recuperation from a car accident a year ago.